Working 5 to 9

If one was to look at my life at the moment, there'd be many things you'd see. And it's all related to law, mostly work, but mostly unpaid believe it or not.

So what am I doing? Well beyond what's actually contained in my job description, which by the way is something along the lines of managing and advising clients on their intellectual property portfolios, developing them and implementing various related strategies, there's also some pretty neat stuff, namely:

• Advising my work, and preparing information for Partners and clients on the effects of the new Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Bill which was passed on Tuesday.
• Writing articles on how one such amendment could really expose most businesses to a rather significant liability.
• Preparing litigation documents for several key clients, on issues I've never even touched before - the prime example being disclosure of confidential information. To expert witnesses. In patent opposition proceedings. Go figure.
• Preparing notices of infringement (or cease and desist letters) for other staff members. (one of my personal favourites, having written 3 today for 2 different staff members).
• And then there's preparing my lecture on International Commercial Arbitration. Haven't done that one yet, but its on my to do list.
  

So I feel like I'm really working two jobs, one of which I thoroughly enjoy, and the other numbs my mind chronically. Three guesses which one is which, and which one I'm not getting paid for?

But I tell my self things are going to be going well. I have a large work function tomorrow night, and a Rocky Horror Picture Show themed party on Saturday night. Thus I'm quite looking forward to my weekend.

And just found some more photos from Vienna. It's a hard life being a world traveler sometimes.

Regardless of whether I like Auckland or not, it can certainly put on a show.



















Work is picking up, or at least I'm getting more litigation work. Staying until 9pm in order to do it is another story. But I can get lost in the work, consumed by the rush of argument.

Advocacy is a story, and telling stories enthralls me.

Triumphant Return

Time for an update. Back from Vienna, which was amazing as usual. I had a fantastic time, refreshing my memory of European delights such as bakeries on every corner, efficient and reliable public transport systems, and an amazing sense of culture. It was good.

As for the competition, we did fantastically well. The team made it all the way to semis before losing, placing us 3rd out of 204 universities. Brilliant job. Catherine and Arjun both won honourable mentions for best oralists, and we won an honourable mention for our Claimant submissions. It was a world class achievement. And it add to top it all off, our university is now the most successful university in the competition - we are the only university to make the elimination rounds every year for the last six years, have consistently been ranked 1st or 2nd in the round robins, made the finals, semi-finals, quarter finals, and of the 12 speakers over the last 6 years, 9 have won honourable mentions. And I've been involved for the last 4 years. It's such a good feeling.

Speaking of good feelings, I arbitrated at the competition and while it was nerve racking and extremely draining, I loved absolutely every minute of it. It's quite a feeling to talk to leading scholars in the area and to be treated as an equal. And then there's the networking, for example I had one US attorney hunt me down specifically. Must be getting a little bit of a reputation, which feels pretty damn cool. So going back next year in some capacity.

This escape also provided me the reignition of my passion and drive for litigation and arbitration, resolving myself to do more about it. And that I am, making enquiries, chasing people up and even including enquiries for work overseas. Something will come of this, hard work usually pays off.

On another note, I'm now settled into my new place in Auckland. The flat is great, my flatmates are lovely, and it's so nice to have a place to live and call my own now. And such a retreat it is, great polished wooden floors, open spaces, and generally a great ambiance. I like it. I'll attempt to provide photos soon enough.

Time Out of Joint

First things first - I should clarify that I'm in Vienna from next Monday, that's March 10. I'm still in Auckland this week.

On a completely different note - ever had the moments that make you stop, pause and contemplate: "I really think I could be in the middle of my own Truman Show."?

No? Just me then. Seriously, there's been an insane number of coincidences, perfectly timed opportunities, and weird occasions of Deja Vu. I really start to wonder. I'd give more detail, but chances are then people may call for medication.

In any event, I suppose I shouldn't come here empty handed now that you've come to expect goodies. And this one is a treat - The Wellington Ukelele Orchestra has just made their debut release The Heartache EP. Mint. I want it. Buy it now. And if you want to check it out before you buy, visit them here. Need I say more?

Bag of Loot

By way of an update, I now have a place to live. It's a nice house in Ellersie in Auckland, flatting with two girls of my own age. Hopefully moving in sometime this week. I say hopefully, as I'm back in Wellington on Saturday before I fly out to Vienna on Monday for two weeks. Fingers crossed.

But boy do I have some wicked entertaining things for you today. Recently there's been the 10th Annual Independent Games Festival. Why mention this? Because of some of the freakishly awesome stuff that has come out of it.

I mean, you have to see Audiosurf to believe it. You get it off Steam, first indication that it must be good. The tag line is "Ride Your Music", and an explanation doesn't do it justice but I'll try - it's a puzzle racer game. Huh? Well you have to drive along a track collecting, and matching, different coloured blocks. Sounds pretty cool. But wait, there's more. By running your music through the game, it changes the gameplay according to various parameters against your music. Seriously, watch it run through Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody:

I'd get it, but sadly, it's PC only at this point. My PC is still in storage, but I'll be downloading that sucker once I move. And at $9.99 for the full game - it's mint for an audiophile like myself.

Other equally enjoyable indie games have emerged from IGF: things like the Iron Dukes and World of Goo. Play the demo of Iron Dukes. It's addictively simple with superb detail. And World of Goo is mind blowing. Try them. Now.

And for something utterly entrancing, have a look at Crayon Physics Deluxe. The game is not out yet in a form resembling that in the video below, but this is definitely one worth watching for.



Sweet Jesus, it's a good time to have nothing else to do. Thankfully I don't have my PC yet, otherwise I'd get nothing done.

So here we are

I'm in Auckland now, settling into work well and building the bonds of friendship with work mates. It's going well so far. Finding a place to live, however, is proving a little tiresome and it's difficult to find somewhere I like, and the people like me. There's been cases of one or the other, but never both so far. Give me time.

Time for some music for you. Here's a personal favourite of mine, Bloc Party's So Here We Are from Silent Alarm. I don't know why, but it strikes me as a song for fresh starts. So in commeration of fresh starts for me in Auckland, it is here for your viewing and listening pleasure.


Speaking of fresh starts, it feels good to have some new experiences in Auckland. Ended up sitting in a bar by on Friday night after work drinks, watching the Hurricanes vs the Queensland Red. Good game, interesting bar, but nothing exciting. It was an experience.

Life Imitates Art

I was admitted on Friday, making my first official court appearance applying to become a barrister and solicitor. The ceremonial circumstances called for the wig and gown, and it was so worth it. I can now officially call myself a real lawyer, officer of the court, barrister and solicitor, or the many other titles it bestows. It was magnificent.

It also meant my Friday night was massive, flowing on from my Friday afternoon celebrations. I'm surprised I'm able to function this time of night on a Saturday following more celebrations and fun. I guess alcohol can have that affect.

In any event the weekend has been a blast so far, and although there's been a couple of hiccups (on other people's part) it's been great and I have no real cause for complaint. The line from Batman Begins strikes me as poignant about now: "start pretending having fun, and who knows, you might have a little by accident".

One week left in Wellington, and I intend to use it well.

Tradition can be good

Today is the big day.

How was your Weekend?

Again I found myself a little pressed for time and this has been amongst the first things to fall of the list of things to do.

Things are moving, and I suppose that's probably all for the best at the moment. I move everything up to Auckland on Monday week, I leave for Vienna in just over 4 weeks, and this coming Friday I get Admitted.

Almost forgot that point - after 6 years of university studies, Professional Legal Studies, then piles of paper work, I finally get to wear the prestigious wig and gown. The pomp and circumstance is enthralling, and I can't wait. Should be good fun.

Beyond that, there's not been much else I suppose. I do have some neat little pieces of music you should definitely listen to though, and here is but one of them

Vampire Weekend is a nifty whee set coming out of New York. Infectious is the only way I can think to describe them.

Tis Been Sometime

So it's been well over a month since the last update, and I take full responsibility for it, though Christmas, New Years, and moving to Auckland have gotten in the way.

Auckland was good. The operative part of that sentence being in the past tense. I'm back in Wellington at the moment, at least until 18 February at which time the move to Auckland is supposed to permanent. For various reasons I have my doubts as to its permanence, and needn't say more.

In the meantime, being in Wellington has been fantastic. For example, yesterday was spent in the sun, dressed to the nines, out at Trentham Race Course for the Wellington Cup. The biggest horse racing event in Wellington's calendar. Not surprisingly, the majority of Wellington decided to come out also, and it made the train ride there incredibly interesting. Lots of people in suits, in a train without air conditioning, on a hot day, does not make for a pleasant start to the day. However, there was entertainment when a group of young girls decided to start hitting on one member of our party. He couldn't escape and although it was probably torture for him, we found it unbelievably amusing. Unbelievably amusing.

As for other events since last year, well I've been to Nelson and the Sounds having the time of my life, traveled to and from Auckland where amongst other things I helmed a 9.2 metre racing yacht manned by 4 people, tripped up to Palmerston North for a visit to Hawkes Bay vineyards and come back poorer but laden with delicious wine (as seen left), started judging moots, and generally trying to sort things out.

In terms of music, I highly recommend some New Zealand music. Partly because they're pretty damn good, but also because in Wellington we've been blessed with free concerts in our Botanical Gardens and these artists have played some pretty amazing sets. Apparently. I missed them due to other commitments.

So enjoy Odessa, and Age Pryor (respectively).

Moving On

Summer is definitely here in New Zealand - the searing glorious sun, the warm breeze, the icecreams, and refreshing swims. It's fantastic and there's only going to be more of it. For instance, I've now arranged for my New Years to be spent in Nelson and the Sounds. It's going to be 100% marvelous, glorious, and relaxing. Much needed I think.

As for other happenings, I'm moving to Auckland. After much discussion and debate, I'll be moving up there permanently from 3 January. Slightly scary, but a good move I think. I've been promised a full time position in the litigation team by the end of next year. And to top it off, after only 18 to 24 months experience I'll be considered mid-level caliber. That's exactly what I want - to be challenged, to be responsible, and to be involved in as much as possible. It may be Auckland, but I'm sure I'll cope.

To keep in the theme of providing music, I give you Daft Punk. Yes, I know they've been around a while, but they've just released the official Alive 2007 Tour CD, and it freaking sweet. People will have their favourites, and admittedly, I'm impressed by the Face to Face, Harder Better Faster Stronger, Short Circuit mashup. But for those wanting to hark back to their roots, you can't go past Michel Gondry's transfixing video for Around the World. Enjoy.

Little Bit

The weekend was good: great weather, good friends, good barbeques, and great wine. I'll have to do it again sometime soon.

Anyways, probably time to start posting some interesting random stuff. Keeping with previous postings, here's the latest artist taking the internet by storm - Lykke Li. The song is called Little Bit, and it is catchy indeed. There's something genuine in it, and that's probably what makes it so great. I highly recommend it.

The video to go with it is also supreme, and matches it perfectly I think. It goes to show what can be achieved on a low budget but supported by great friends.


You can find more of her work here.

It never ends

This week has been crazy again. More packed full of things than really interesting activities, though I would include in that being stopped by airport security. In my defence I was carrying evidence for an upcoming case and we had been told carry on luggage was fine.

Otherwise, I've been invited to arbitrate in Vienna for the Vis Moot, we finished our Claimant memo today, work has been up and down, there's been travel, and I now have two very distinct and very different opportunities - one to move to Auckland, the other to change firms. It just comes down to what I want, and frankly I'm not so sure any more.

And just came back from the football with my Dad. It was great fun, and I definitely enjoyed myself, and I'd like to think he had a good time too.

Now, I'm ready to crash and sleep all weekend.

Mr Brightside

So it has been a momentous week. My friends ended up showing me one of the best weekends ever last weekend. I haven't laughed so hard and for so long in a while. It felt good.

The distractions and festivities continued throughout the week, with work, hockey, dinners, drinks, meetings, swimming, netball, more drinks, more dinners, more meetings, and more good times with friends. I have not managed to squeeze so much into a week as this one gone by. It's quite surreal to look back and realise that yes, it really was only one week. There's alot to be said for good time management.

And, as promised here's a photo of the finished, and trimmed, moustache for Movember. Thankfully it ended up looking more like something a pimp would wear than the dodgy handlebars my brother ended up with. Huge thanks to Pam, Jamie, and Kathy for contributing. The rest who promised but never delivered shall not be named so their guilt can forever be used for my evil purposes. You know who you are. It does feel good to have it gone though.

There's not really much more to say about the past week's events, I can't remember half the stuff that happened, but I remember that it was a blast. I remember there being a lot of sunshine, and a variety of friends showing the most massive amount of support. It really is wonderful at these times to realise that I have made good impressions on a number of people, and that they are willing to drop anything for me when the roles reverse and I need them.

So I came to realise that, yes, nice guys do finish last. But that's simply because we don't care about the race.

It was supposed to be the Week-End

Who would have thought it. Broken hearted again so soon.

Sometime when you're in a downpour, silver linings don't mean a thing. It's been a great week.

You Ride the Luck

So some things haven't necessarily gone my way, but I shouldn't complain all that hard, as most clouds tend to have a silver lining. I'm either becoming or being treated as an overpaid under utilised personal assistant at work, I can't quite tell which it is though. The upside is that I've got plenty of time to work on profs, read and write more articles, and generally organise people at the office. My role description seems to have changed to some sort of human resources-marketing hybrid, with a splash of word processor and entertainer. It's nice to be wanted in some capacity I guess.

Doesn't help that I've been asked to consider a relocation to Auckland. It certainly has some aspects going for it, the least of which is guaranteed work. The downside being what that work entails and the difference between what I'm told will be happening, what's expected of me, and what is most likely to happen. The bright side to this one is that I now know people at work are willing to be brutally honest and frank in giving their professional and personal opinion of others. Whether they would hold such criticisms for me, I'm not entirely certain.

I have managed to while away the weekends lying in the sun, swimming, reading, and relaxing round the outdoor pools. It's good fun. My swim fitness is creeping back, and my skin no longer has that translucent look to it. It's not tanned, no, just a healthier shade of white at the moment.

As for what this week holds, of that I am unclear. There's various things I'd like to happen, but the majority of which are well beyond my control. The best I can fathom is a bothersome phonecall, but irritation does not bode well for any of those prospects.

What I have managed to accomplish this week, is to stumble across a fascinating t-shirt retailer online. They specialise in t-shirts branded with fake company logos from movies - like the Tyrell Corporation from Blade Runner or Skynet from The Terminator. I think it's a nifty idea, if only the prices were a little lower, and not in pounds.

Quiet Earth

So here we have the first in the series of photo essays on Wellington nightlife. Enjoy.































And get cracking sponsoring my mustache. So far the only person to front up is my brother, for which I am very grateful. You too can receive this gratitude by providing a small donation towards funding for prostate cancer research and awareness in New Zealand. Sponsor today!

Art, Politics, and Facial Hair

In line with interesting tidbits I've provided previously, I present Little People, A Tiny Street Art Project. Personally, one of my favourites is the immensely detailed Nuart Show:

It amazes me: the imagination, and skill, of some folk.

On a completely different note, people have asked two points about my previous post:
Yes it was Guy Fawkes, those are my photos of the fireworks; and Movember is a good cause worth supporting.

Movember is a movement in New Zealand aimed at increasing awareness for Men's health problems, such as prostate cancer. The idea is to grow a moustache: starting clean shaven at the first of the month, attempting to grow the best moustache one can in an effort to raise money. The operative words of that sentence are: "raise money" in that I need people to sponsor me, so pretty please fill in the sponsorship forms here.

The word "attempt" should not be overlooked either, in the sense: "I am attempting to grow my first moustache". Most are aware that I much prefer being clean-shorn and the longest I've gone without shaving has been one week, mostly because you can't notice my stubble until a week is up. This is a true test of my grit, and facial prowess. So it's for a good cause, and if you're in NZ, anything over $5 is tax deductable.

On another note, it's social indoor netball season again. Awesome!

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

And who says movies aren't educational. I now don't need to explain Guy Fawkes to anyone not from the Colonies. Americans have come to grips with the idea and its celebrations thanks to Hugo Weaving.

So I leave you to marvel at the public displays of fireworks:









Oh, and I've been roped into Movember, so I thank Hugo Weaving and V for another thing. It's all for a good cause - bringing awareness to Men's Health and Prostate Cancer. Plus, enough sponsorship and I'll post a picture of the final moustache ensemble.

Busy Body

Apologies for not having scrawled my thoughts down here sooner - I've been a little busy of late. There's been movements with work, romance, friends and life in general that have captured my attention more than recording things. So apologies.

It hasn't stopped me from thinking about recording my random thoughts though, like the night-scape of Wellington. It's refreshing to walk through it at night sober and see the serenity of the innercity. I intend to record some sort of photo essay on the topic when I have the chance.

Other random thoughts have harked back to a different time - being Halloween today it brought memories of this night last year, and the stories. I long for the child-like wonderment that Halloween used to bring, and how I recpatured it for a brief time in Hamburg.

We've had no trick-or-treaters tonight either. I purposively went to the supermarket to invest in some fun-size chocolate bars. Yet the only scallywags enjoying them are my flat mates. I don't mean to sound bitter, but I saw all the kids in the city running off to Halloween parties, and they were so very enthusiastic. I want the freedom to do that. If I had more hours in the day, I would have set about organising something, but my time has been taken up with organising a catchup next week for the Moot Family.

I've also found myself pondering the change a haircut can bring. It's odd how trimming locks of hair can have that effect - a fresh cut, a fresh smile. Never ceases to amaze me. Might have something to do with the random but engaging conversations I have with my hairdresser - who would have thought dressing up like a Storm Trooper would be that much fun.

And keeping with the child-like theme of this posting, I can't help but get excited over The Golden Compass (I still prefer its real title The Northern Lights, but Americans just had to be different). I hope it captures the brilliance of the books.

Oh, and I've been thoroughly enjoying my music again when I get the chance. Highlights include: Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Jose Gonzalez, Feist, and well, anything that crosses my path really. I've been out of the audiophile loop for too long.

So now, with the evening winding down and some time to myself, I think I'll go and indugle in some fun-size chocolate bars while I read in bed.

Wow

This week has been interesting. Tiring, but interesting.

Favourite Things

The weatherman often gets things wrong, and I'm so very glad he was so very wrong today. It was gloriously sunny day. The sun had real heat in it, the air was warm, and Summer is definitely on its way. It felt good to be out and about all day today, and it feels good to soak in that sun-kissed feeling. And smell. I swear I smell different after being in the sun, and I can only describe it as smelling of warmth from sunshine. The closest I can come is that smell of sheets that have just dried on a warm afternoon. Slightly off-beat I know, but it's the best I can do.

Speaking of things that have been done, and appallingly bad segues, work has gotten me published for a brief article I wrote on copyright and filesharing. Nothing big, but it's getting a fair amount of exposure on the web and soon in print. First step on the way to something bigger I hope.

And, now I am pooped. All that sun and exercise has sapped me, and it feels good.

Clarity

It sometimes scares me how there are moments in my life when I feel like there is absolute clarity. It doesn't bother me that the moments are few and far between, nor that I can't explain them. But that everytime there is one of these moments, my life changes for the better.

It all started a little while back with my workload drying up bit by bit. Don't get me wrong, there'd be days when I'd be up to my neck in work, but the vast majority of late has been scrounging round for things to do. This included researching and writing various articles, which will be published shortly.

Then last night I had a seminar on Work/Life Balance. It was quite astounding really. Nothing new, but hearing it all together has put some things into perspective: it's all about passion and doing what you love. If you're not loving what you do, you find it. Finding that and finding the passion will help things flow better and the balance will come.

And the catalyst - My results for the Patent Attorney Exams came back. I was sitting three out of the necessary six exams. They weren't kidding when they said they were hard. I failed all, hitting 48%. Close, but not close enough. Quite gut wrenching upon reading the results, the thoughts of the numerous hours spent studying, spurning the various social gatherings offered, and just the effort and stress put in just weren't enough.

So I'm sitting in my office distraught, when it all clicks. There was this brilliant moment of clarity, where I realised my career is not going in the direction I want, and I have the opportunity to really take control and bring it back onto the path I want. And that's what I've been building on today.

I can't describe the clarity that came. But I'm holding onto it, working on what I can, and moving towards the others. Brilliant.

In the meantime, I leave you with these two gems, capturing today for me:

• Chris Knox's fantastic anthem, Not Given Lightly; and
• Lou Reed's timeless Perfect Day.

Enjoy.

Take the Power Back

It's an amazing experience hearing an entire industry coming to its knees, and you can share the experience with Radiohead's In Rainbows. It is a glorious album, and Radiohead continue to thrill me. Thank you Elaine.

But the best thing about this album is the distribution. It's a purely digital solo effort by Radiohead, and ever since the announcement was made, there's been tremblings from the Recording Industry. You can hear them cracking.

Go there, download the album at a price you think is worthwhile, and away you go. I'm happy to pay for the album, the effort, the revolution. It's a bonus that the album is fantastically good.

Added to that is the debacle surrounding Capitol v Thomas (formely Virgin v Thomas). Doesn't ring a bell? The copyright and file sharing case? USD 222,000 for sharing 24 files? Ringing bells now I hope. This all speaks of a change, a fairly imminent change I hope. There's alot of debate over things more than copyright now. For starters, the Recording Industry Association of America has stated that these cases are breaking even and a worthwhile venture, yet the artists (whose interests the RIAA is supposed to be protecting) are yet to see a single cent from all of this. There will be public concern.

So it's a wonderful thing for me, the avid music fan frustrated at the state of the recording industry, to hear the changes happening.

Lucky

So now I know how a wet rat feels. I'm not comparing lawyers to rats by any means, but it's the only image I could picture as we trudged around the sodden golf course. There were puddles in my shoes and I felt like I was wearing wet swimwear.

But the golf was good. I certainly enjoyed that aspect, though I'm not sure if everyone I played with did. The fact I was playing with the CEO and CFO only dawned on me the other day, then there was the added weight of knowing this game wouldn't even push my total number of golf rounds into double digits. A good time was had by all though, and we laughed our way round the course, everyone making some good shots, some bad ones, and some horrifying ones. My worst effort when driving went three feet in front of me. It was a good feeling to actually connect with the ball the next time.

The weather has continued with its drudgery, though it did manage to clear this morning. Well, clear enough for me to walk to the supermarket unimpeded by the rain. The wind was another matter. So I've been contained inside mostly. As have flatmates and their significant others. It's an interesting sensation to wake up early on the weekend to what you think is someone knocking on your bedroom door, only to realise that it's actually the frame shaking due to the intense rhythm from upstairs. Imagination no longer required, nor desired.

But to leave you all on a happier note, I give you the distinctly Wellington music stylings of Fly My Pretties in anticipation of Summer and finer weather.

Rhapsody on a Theme

So the weather gods have beaten me with the irony stick again. I go and spout off about the glorious, if not windy, Wellington spring weather and it turns to custard. Again. Though yesterday was nice and warm, today is monsoon season. Never ending rain without wind. Which is extremely odd for Wellington.

Hence my thinking the weather gods are mocking me. Plus, I've got golf on Friday. That's right I'm playing some Business Games Golf, it'll be my third game of golf. And the weather is inclement to put it nicely. Irony on a stick, being flaunted by the weatherman.

In other news I've managed to wingle my way in to a number of vital projects at work. None are billable, but it's the experience that really counts. Papers on various topics that affect the whole firm and will be seen and discussed by Partners. I seem to have a knack for getting those projects. The hopeful in me thinks it's because I continually produce an impressive, well argued opinion. The cynic in me thinks it's because I'm relatively cheap labour when it comes to legal opinions in the firm. Either way, it's invaluable experience and exposure.

Which brings me to an interesting point. In the course of researching for all of these projects I stumbled across the most intriguing website and series of blog posts putting everything I've thought about over the last year or so into written form.

No it's not specifically about moving to the US, it's all about opportunities shaping life and careers, what to skills to work on, and where to put those into practice. Though it's nothing I haven't already considered in some form or another, it's meaningful, for want of a better word, to see it all in one place and reinforced.

I really think Fate is having a quiet whisper in my ear. Which brings me back to ever continuing theme in my life - the right place, the right time.

The Force is Strong in This One

Well Yesterday was a stunning Spring day. It was typical Wellington spring weather with a gorgeous morning, dazzling sunlight and warmth.


The observant should be two steps ahead. And no, it's not that my feet are sunburnt. The spring winds swept up. Gale force strength and rising. It continued today. Excuse me, the wind continues today. Sadly not the sun. It is now cold. Again. Rattling windows, ravaged trees, scattered debris. Wellington has its wind back.

But yesterday was a pearler for the most part. I took the misfortune of broken internet at work as a sign that I shouldn't be inside on the weekend. I grasped that opportunity and walked round the waterfront and through Cuba Street. It's becoming almost a regular occurrence these fine weekends. Nothing wrong with that of course.

Speaking of opportunities, the process for admission to the Bar has begun, and my first round of documents are near completion. Soon enough I'll be wearing the wig and gown. The coveted attire of the profession. Somehow the images of Darth Vader emerging from a darkened room are a strong association with that.

Odd. I hope it's not a sign of things to come.

Oh, and I have two films to review for the Italian Film Festival - Romanzo di Crimine, and La Terra. Looks like fun.

Blue Orchid

Seeing as they were going relatively cheap through work, I decided to buy an orchid. Now, I'm not much of a green thumb, but orchids are pretty amazing plants and can be quite stunning. So it'll be worthwhile, at least I think so.

The greatest thing is that they're indoor plants. Well, in New Zealand at least. With our most bizarre turn of weather at the moment, it's a good thing. We've gone from gloriously warm and sunny days, to despicably cold with razor sharp frosty winds. You'd think we had receded back into the depths of Winter again. That's right, October is supposed to be Spring in New Zealand, but I think the weather gods forget about this little island sometimes.

Seeing as I'm a New Zealander, it's ubiquitous that I mention the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand plays France in the first quarter-final on Sunday at 8 am NZST (that's Saturday 12 pm PST, and 9 pm Saturday in Germany for the ardent fans). Pretty decent time really, so no excuse to miss it.

Through Someone's Eyes

It's always interesting looking at your home town from someone else's perspective. I suppose that's why I enjoy seeing people's photos while they've been here.

Sometimes it's just fun to browse through Flickr, plugging in a vareity tags and gawking at the photos it produces. Take this for example, "wellington" and "waterfront". Or there's "wellington" and "cuba", showing the interesting sides to the heart of the city, Cuba Street.

The only thing I need now is to be able to share all the brilliant Kiwi music. Or maybe I should leave you all to discover that one for yourself.

Nothing Serious

Flight of the Conchords are making it big. The HBO series has just started airing here in New Zealand, and by all accounts it's brilliant.

But I can't get Prime, the channel it screens on here. So I've rediscovered the glory of their BBC Radio Series, which is what the HBO show is based upon. Each time it just gets funnier, as there are numerous references and running jokes contained throughout that might be missed the first time.

Who needs television?

But still I would like to see the shows.

On another note, if you're ever short of food I'd be happy to lend out my evil-genius-cum-miracle worker flatmate. Last night we had a surprise birthday party for my other flatmate, and what originally started out as a couple bottles of wine, some snacks and the like has turned into leftover cake, salads, kebabs, meat patties, chocolate brownies, about seven bottles of wine, a dozen beer and three pre-mixed vodka drinks. I don't know how she does it, but I'd be happy to lend her out.

Anonymous Lawyer

I sometimes wonder what kind of a lawyer I'll grow up to be. I've had quite a few discussions with colleagues over the last few days, and I think I'm one of those people that thrives on pressure and stress. It helps focus and drive me.

And for all the love of being an advocate, and taking that adverserial approach, I don't think I'm as much of an asshole as the people sitting across the table from me with this current dispute. I've never met someone who attacks the people rather than the positions. It's hard to explain, but his correspondence drives me to the extremes. They attempt to ridicule and abuse our client and us, without care for the relative strength (or weaknesses for that matter) of anyone's arguments. It's like he's trying to turn it into something personal. And I don't appreciate it.

I'm doing my best to steer away from being drawn into it, it seems petty, unreasonable and reinforces the archaic lawyer stereotype. The good news is that it's generating a fair amount of work, and I get to do a whole of research and write memos about the issues it's raising.

It's at times like these that I like to browse through a fantastic parody of lawyers found here, at the blog of the Anonymous Lawyer.

Someone left a link to it in my comments many moons ago, and it's only now that I've managed to share it with everyone. Interestingly if you go to his Anonymous Law Firm, the parody is continued with superb detail. I find it amusing, and strangely therapuetic.

The best part is, I don't live that life. I'm doing what I enjoy.

A Sense of Irony

It has become quite apparent that the weather gods take pleasure in mocking me. Put shortly, I was too early to gloat about the glorious weather of the weekend for now it is shit. Cold, dark, and miserable.

Which puts the time frame for completion of the work on our kitchen in serious dubiousness. I don't think we'll be able to use the kitchen by tomorrow, Wednesday or even the end of the week - they haven't even knocked out the exterior wall yet. Though that's a good thing with the weather as it is at the moment. No one wants to be left exposed in this kind of weather. But it still sucks nonetheless, as our lounge is truly now our kitchen. As is our study.

There are, however, things to smile about. For instance, I rediscovered this little gem: Bent Objects. Just go see this fine fellow's fine work, though I do leave you with one of his most recent examples:


Brilliant.

The Sacrifices We Make

I don't suppose many people know the feeling you get halfway through a conversation when you all of a sudden realise that the other person probably isn't taking you all that seriously when you look like a Lion.

That's right. The Masquerade ball last night saw me dressed and made up to the nines, along with some friends professionally made up by Body FX. I thought, however, that there'd be people who've made more effort than the group of us did. And I was wrong.

It was somewhat disappointing to see that the most effort people had made was to dress up and buy a cheap mask with feathers. I certainly thought the painted faces were original and unique. They also served their purpose for masquerading - not many people recognised me at first, and alot of people were thoroughly impressed. There were many many positive comments. One negative from a drunken guy in the Mens, but I think he had issues.

Anyways, it was a great night. I had a brilliant time. The only downside is having to take the make-up off afterwards, and I now have a new found respect for the time it can take women to get ready for bed after a night out. Though I should sincerely hope no one puts on as much as I had on to be a lion.

The removal of make-up is an artform lost on me then. As this morning I still had some black eyeliner on, and some black in my lashes. It filled my lashes out, defining what are usually the blond tips, thereby showing off their full length - My flatmates didn't like me for that. The other thing was that it really brought out my eyes, exposing them as the icy blue they can be somtimes.

Quite cool. Apart from wearing makeup to achieve that effect.

Too Early to Gloat?

You need not fear, for spring is here. Possibly even an early summer, as today was an absolutely divine day.

The botanical gardens, which serves as my front garden, is in full bloom and the spring festival is well underway. You need only see the photos below to see for yourself. The tulips are vividly colourful.


Coupled with that, it's nice to be about in shorts and a t-shirt again walking around the waterfront. Wellington is just a gorgeous city and its days like today that make it shine.

Well, I'm now in the throes of preparing myself for the Labyrinth Masquerade tonight. A dressed down tux with some professional body art on the face should provide a fancy touch. Stories and photos tomorrow.

Word of the Day - Humourility

While some cherish the strength to change what they can, others the serenity to accept what they can't, and some want the wisdom to know the difference, I'm more grateful to have the good humour to go along with it all regardless.

Remember the gutted kitchen roof? Well that's now turned into a roof, an exterior wall, and no kitchen available for use until the work is finished. Tuesday most likely. I had no response when I was told of the impending work over the phone, other than "We have no kitchen? But I made toast there this morning".

Strange to think how reliant we are on kitchens. There's due compensation, and it looks as though the work is going to be fairly quick as the contractors were already lined up. So not too bad. I just had to laugh at the bizarre situation unfolding.

Good thing I could keep that smile on. In an attempt to rejig my finances and sort out my financial health with the bank, I shortly found out soon afterwards that the loan I took out last year to help cover my Bucerius exchange was recorded incorrectly. I'm supposed to be paying a whole lot more interest on it than I currently am. Great. If I hadn't been so smart and tried to sort out my money, or asked about a whole range of options, this would never have come up. Go me trying to improve my situation.

Still the irony of it all is not lost.

Then, matters get more interesting. That's right, there's more. After the seminar today on IP insurance, which by the way is quite neat but you can tell it's run by non-legal professionals as its a good idea but no consideration for the uncertainties of litigation, three of us from work ended back standing in the office bitching about work. Apart from finding out some interesting movements and politics at work, and more about how they treat people, I go and start mouthing off about how little work I have and talk about likely plans to leave next year. It's not really news to my colleagues but, in the fashion of today, one of my seniors is still there unbeknownst to us. Serious foot in mouth disease.

Though it may have some good effect. I stuck around and talked to my senior after packing up my office, and it became quite apparent that she had heard me and my plight of no work. She accepted responsibility for the large part of it, in not finding the time to delegate work. But it was good to just talk about some of the articles I've been asked to write. More on that another time, as it needs your full attention to savour my geekdom.

But before we go, there's more. Upon picking up my car from the garage...the battery is flat. A door had been locked but not closed properly. Adding salt to the wound of the day. However, I decided to shrug it off as I did most things today, and attempted to crash start the car. In my suit. I hear gasps and people are expecting something good from here on in. Well, it all went well until the car hit the driveway of the carpark. And stopped. Stuck in the drive. Waiting for the roadside assistance. All 3 necessary seconds of it after 30 minutes of waiting. Excellent finish to an excellent day.

Now I lie on my bed, typing away, laughing at what today has brought. I am very grateful to have the good humour to face most things.

Casual Dining

Ever wonder what the inside of an old villa kitchen roof looks like? Well wonder no longer, for your pleasure I present our gutted kitchen roof:


The landlord and their builder finally came round to sort it out. And now our lounge is full of kitchen ware, chairs, and baking goods. Interesting times. At least there's a small refund on rent.

On the brighter side of things, work has said they'll contribute to my trip back to Vienna for the Vis Moot, and may get me to visit some associates while I'm over there. Excellent news - I get to make more international contacts, go to Vienna and the competition, and save my money for other purposes. Everyone wins. I'll find out on Friday exactly how much they will contribute and what is expected of me in Europe.

Though discussing work does require mention of the lack of billable work I've been given. There's just not much going round at the moment that I can help with. Sort of makes me feel a little unnecessary. So beyond feeding my addiction for sudoku, I'm doing a fair amount of personal research and education passed off as work related.

My personal favourite research topic at the moment though is the nature of intellectual property rights molecular gastronomy attracts.

I'm a law geek through and through.

Oh, and those suggestions for things to see here in NZ are still more than welcome.

Hilfen Mir Bitte!

Oh, and I need some help. Being a native to this country, I have a fair idea of what are the some of the sights and sounds, but I want to thoroughly impress my next visitor.

So I need some advice on what others with a non-native perspective would consider to be the highlights of their trip. Email me so no surprises are spoiled.

Avast!

For those of us on the right side of the date line, tomorrow is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Otherwise for the non-natives it's 19 September, but by all means feel free to celebrate early.

I've been given the hurry up to post some more musings, apparently they're neither coming hard nor fast enough. My feeble excuse is that I've had the pleasure to tell most people face to face (or the virtual equivalent) all the interesting things in my life, but I remembered that doesn't include everyone, so that battle was quickly lost.

So for starters I've got the gracious luck to be going to the Young Professionals Ball this coming Saturday. Work has somehow considered it to be a marketing and networking event, and that forking out $75 for a night's festivities, drink, and food is a worthwhile investment. Who am I to complain? The only catch, apart from Elaine not being here for me to accompany, is that it's a masquerade ball - a Labyrinth Masquerade to be precise. Costume. Fun.

But fun we will make it. The other representative from work, who by means of also being in a long distance relationship makes me wonder whether work actually thought this through so the two people most likely to not make assess of themselves are going, is having a little soirée beforehand. There our masquerade masks shall be professionally applied as body art to our faces. How freaking sweet is that? Professionally even. Rest assured there will be photographic evidence.

As for other interesting times - it has become apparent that this year's exchange to Bucerius is at full swing. The stories are vague as of yet, but it sounds like there's many a fun times being had, though I'm not clear of any gossip going on in regard to improving international relations. I shall endeavour to uncover the news as it happens.

Oh, and one of my favourite webcomics, which is on the links to your right, is definitely worth a view, if not to reveal my inner geek a little more. There's a few gems in there, like this:

Life is Full of Wonder

Life is full of wonderful surprises, twists, and turns. Well, my life at least. The best things always seem to happen unexpectedly and come from no where: the Vis Moot, the Exchange, Elaine, and my job to name but a few.

So it's with little wonder that the little musical gem that is Over the Rhine came across my path. Their latest offering, The Trumpet Child, is simply gorgeous. Highly infectious, twitchy jazz-like sounds, it's brilliant. Karin Bergquist has a truly velvet toned voice. Visit their website, listen for yourself, and decide.

Who am I kidding, this album just makes me shiver - it inexplicably makes me smile and think of You. Gorgeous, smooth and delictable rhythm, sound and experience. What is music if not to conjure emotion.

The other interesting thing is what drops into my lap - there's a chance to lecture for a short period next year, and I've been asked to write an article for the firm on copyright and commissioning of work bearing in mind the upcoming changes. It's given me an insight, and something I might spend some spare time developing into a bigger article - there's quite a few interesting questions that arise from all of this. Maybe a Masters on copyright isn't such a bad idea.

I'm Just a Big Kid

ratatouille |ˌratəˈtoō-ē; ˌräˌtä-|

noun

a vegetable dish consisting of onions, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, fried and stewed in oil and sometimes served cold.

ORIGIN a French dialect word.

It's also a brilliant Pixar film. I do seem to be drawn to their films like a moth to a flame, and admittedly I was slightly worried going into it, thinking it would be trading off the success of its predecessors. I was ever so wrong. I should never doubt Pixar, they make captivating and richly layered movies, each one bettering the last.

I have to see it again.

Sunny

Fresh from the Botannical Gardens, this is for You:

Stimmt

Danke. Es ist perfekt.

This Rocks

Baking amazes me. It's surprising how the simplest of ingredients can come together to make the most glorious of dishes, and how sometimes it can happen in a blink of an eye. Most times there's just a mash of ingredients in front you, but when you add that last egg it all comes to fruition and the mixture results. Quite astounding really, the change in consistency, the change in appearance and the change in taste.

Little like Chemistry really, though without the tasting. Probably explains my affinity for both really. So when something like Molecular Gastronomy comes along, you know I need to find out more. The things people can do is mind blowing.

I'm just a big kid, and this is my equally (im)mature chemistry set. I want one.

Choices

A band that does amazing stuff live, and a band that can somehow thread Gerschwin into a song. You decide:

On This Day

So I didn't go up the coast over to the Wairarapa. But I did walk around in the sun, and partake in that typical German tradition of having icecream in cold weather. The sun was shining and it was a glorious day. The Gelato just added to it.

It is a little scary though to think that this time last year I was well settled in Germany. In fact I was getting ready for a short excursion to Copenhagen with some friends from New Zealand. Such good times, I remember drunkingly stumbling through the rain sodded streets of Copenhagen, obscenities falling from our mouths as we managed to find our way home from the greatest Irish bar, having left partaken in a couple too many drinks with the Spanish covers band. It was a momentous time.

So much has happened though in a space of a year, and those events have seen me grow and change. It hardly seems like me who was in Germany those many months ago, let alone travelling through Europe to Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Dresden, and of all things the University Games in Koblenz. They were great times, brilliant memories, and leave me with no regrets.

Even now I wouldn't change anything. I gave my whole self to everything on that exchange, and given myself to everything since. I've learnt that it's the best way really - every experience was brilliant, every moment divine, all because I held nothing back.

And that's the one thing I would say to anyone who ever asks: when you hold nothing back, the worst that can happen is you learn about yourself through pain and discomfort, but the best that can happen is that you get absolutely everything from everything you do, from everyone you meet and even more. There's far more to gain than there ever is to lose. And that's something I'll treasure and won't change.


And on this day, I finished my German Language Classes and took this photo out in Klein Flottbeck. It still makes me smile.

Transatlantacism

It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do. That and the stunning weather we've been blessed with this weekend. It makes the completion of the first Profs assessment worthwhile.

I think I might head back out to Martinborough, or maybe Eastbourne in a bit. It might be nice to walk round the bays again in this glorious weather.

The Irony

Those that know me well know how my mind tends to work. For want of a better description I operate on memories built on sounds, turn of phrases, senses, and images. As anyone who has talked to me can attest, my train of thought can progress through many stations along the line to my final destination, changing tracks based on one or many of these senses.

So with the recall of memory, one simple thing can trigger a flood. This can be a great thing for exams, for trivia, and for storing large amounts of information. It does not, however, bode well for times like these when it becomes so incredibly apparent how thin my emotional thread really, truly is right now.

It's quite simple really, I should not be watching movies like The Holiday.

Relishing My Geekdom

This last weekend gone by I was in Martinborough with some law friends, actually the Vis Moot team I'm coaching for next year, and we had an awesome time just chilling and generally being law geeks.

I ended up having a long and intense discussion about the nature of Intellectual Property, and the problems with copyright. It was very refreshing having people with different ideas than my own, and that we were more than happy to share and discuss all of this. We also had discussions on a number of other things such as law students and the growing conservative numbers, opposed to the liberals we normally foster at Vic. All in all, it was a great time, relishing my inner geek.

It got me thinking some more on the possibility of doing a Masters. No idea what it would necessarily be in, as it was pointed out to me over the weekend that although I'm working in IP, my expertise seems to be International Sales Contracts, Conflicts of Law, Arbitration, Bill of Rights, and Human Rights. God knows how that all fits together. But there's a possibility of something coming out of that.

But all intellectual discussion aside, we did go to Palliser Bay and see the seal colonies, as well as heading to Waiohine Gorge. It was amazing fun. And most refreshing and relaxing.

Drop of a Hat

Sometimes there's nothing better than just mucking about with friends, and good friends where conversation just seamlessly flows from one thread to the next. Throw in a board game and a couple of beers, and you've got the recipe for a night of release.

It sounds weird, but there's something to the unbridled laughter friends can bring. Therapeutic might be one word.

I seriously have some of the best friends.

A Tale of Two Cities

For those not up with the play as of yet, I'm no longer doing the long distance thing - and no, it's not because there's no distance any more, it's because the thing is no longer there. Hard to hear that you'll never get more than just a piece of someone's heart, and that they don't think they can give any more. Heartbreaking in fact.

But it's probably infinitely harder to admit something like that, come to grips with it, and then know what it'll do to someone. So you have my upmost respect, and understanding.

I'm just moving on, learning from it all, and feeling pretty good now really. Two days of moping is enough for the moment.

Crushed.

So this is what it feels like.

So, Auckland huh?

Work decided to send me up to Auckland short notice. It was an eye opening experience, as in I learnt alot about myself. Dealing with some dodgy requests from a Partner will do that to you - thank heavens for Ethics and Professional Responsibility at law school. At the very least my ass is covered.

But it was a good time, and it made me realise how much I like Wellington, but how ready I am to move on if an opportunity arises. It's kind of scary how simple it was for me to just pick up and go on short notice. I didn't feel out of place at all, and managed to find a routine pretty quick. Excellent. Bring on the States.

Celluoid Dreams

It's good to have friends in interesting places, and thanks to them I've managed to see a number of New Zealand Film Festival films for free. Only catch - I have to write reviews, and we all know how I like to disseminate my opinion. So it's a price I can live with.

So far I've been amazed at the selection given to me - After the Wedding, Falkenberg Farewell, Manda Bala. There's more to come too. I really hope I get all the ones I wished for, that would be cool.

Who knows, maybe I'll reproduce my reviews here, it won't be infringing any copyright laws seeing as I'm the owner, there's no employment or commission issues, or other complicating factors. Maybe there is and I just haven't noticed them yet. Time will tell I suppose.

Spin Me Right Round

Exam number one went well today. Exam number two tomorrow morning, with the third after that.

I don't like this immediate turn around, it's pretty draining. But I do feel pretty confident about it all now that today went smoothly. And like I've said before, I've got inspiration and motivation. It's definitely helping.

Experimental Cooking

Salt and Cheesecakes do not mix. They do not mix at all.

That's a statement most people would not struggle with. I, on the other hand, had to go through the experience personally to really learn that one. Normally I don't mistake salt for sugar, yet today I did, and the resulting cheesecake had to be the most foulest thing I have ever eaten in my entire life. I've never been so repulsed by food before, and never has anything flown out of my mouth uncontrollably since I was an infant.

I blame my exams. The idea was to "eat my feelings" as my flat mates have called it. A cheesecake sounded a perfect antithesis to stress and study. I didn't realise that it would mean I'd fail to notice I was putting in one whole cup of salt instead of sugar. Alas I did. I now I am cheesecake-less. Not happy. Not at all.

And for some reason I now have Friday I'm in Love by the Cure stuck in my head. I have no clue why or how.

So True

Following on from my previous post about landscapes, this little gem was brought to my attention:


Perfect demonstration of Kiwi landscapes, as well as a brilliant Kiwi Band: The Black Seeds. Primo. If you want a decent version for yourself, you can download it here.

I also stumbled across a fantastic little satirical series about Wellington based on the whole lolcats phenomenon. Strangely enough, it's entitled Lollington, and damnit, I laughed. Anyway, just meant to demonstrate the idyllicness of Wellington. Enjoy.

The Good Stuff

It's interesting how many things we take for granted in New Zealand. I'm not talking about the serious things like the freedom from discrimination or access to education. No. This is a discussion about big things. Like licorice and landscapes.

The view from my office is pretty spectacular, and with the recent cold weather we've been having it's turned into a stellar view. The crisp, cold, clear days of late have resulted in a dusting of snow on the Tararua Ranges to the North East. These clear days have also meant that my view has become picturesque in the evenings looking across from my office window when the sun sets. I keep meaning to photograph this, and I promise to do so next time I'm caught looking at them. But in all honesty, where else in the world can you find a bustling cultural city served by calm harbour surrounded by rolling green hills resting at the foot of idyllic mountain ranges. All of which sits outside my office window.

The other things we sometimes tend to take for granted is out sumptuous licorice. RJ's Black Licorice is world-famous. It's so sought after in the states that Amazon is contiunaly sold out. I've seen this stuff be chomped down by people despite their previous promclamations constantly proclaiming their distaste for the "foul black goop".

Anyways, I keep forgetting we have such glorious treats. Then I walk past them in the supermarket, my eyes caught by the Special signs, and I remember. I remember. And then I gloat about it to those less fortunate souls. For the briefest of moments.

iProphet

I've always held the offbeat belief that my iPod is intuitive. Not in a user friendly, scroll to the song you want manner. No, my iPod has divine powers, and it proved it again today.

I had been listening to my iPod as I was preparing for a meeting, and low and behold the song "My Stupid Mouth" by John Mayer starts playing, and its during mid-song that I have to stop it and be on my merry way. An ominous sign if ever there was one.

Low and behold at the meeting, I manage to shoot my mouth off, firing questions left right and center that were rather long winded, complicated, and tended to cause some tension, anxiety, and confusion. I clearly understood what I was talking about, yet no one else seemed to be able to grasp my concerns. I felt foolish by the end of the session. More so considering the closing request for more questions aimed, and spoken directly to me. Fun.

I have to admit, I'm less down about my questions getting me into a spot of bother (anyone who's ever sat in a lecture, meeting, or other such gathering with me knows I tend to steam down the track of convuluted questions rather quickly if not absent mindedly), and I'm more upbeat about the fact my iPod can produce songs into which I'm able to read almost anything regarding my current situation.

It's almost like astrology. I suggest you try it, and I guarantee that if you make yourself aware of it, then your iPod on shuffle will seem prophetic. There's a sense of reassurance there. Albeit a self constructed, but nonetheless amusing, one.

Speaking of iPods, I have been caught in fits of laughter after stumbling through The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. It is by far, one of the best satirical websites I have encountered in a long time. Simply reading the initial posts regarding Bono, Richard Branson, and the loss of Steve Job's iPod is worth it alone.

But if you're not to fussed on satire, simply check out Cyanide and Happiness and their endless archive.

Infinite Threads

I've just returned from seeing the Coregraphy Season - Infinte Threads from Te Whaea, the New Zealand Dance School. It was pretty stunning. I was worried for a moment that lacking experience and exposure to live theatre and live dance, I wouldn't find it entertaining. Gratefully, I did.

The show did exactly what it set out to do. I felt connected to the pieces, with a number of dances making me feel intense jealousy, distress, exuberance, and compassion. I can't quite explain it. I had a brilliant night, and I'll be attempting to head to more shows from Te Whaea.

A huge thanks to my flatmate, whom without I never would have even known this was going on or taken the time to watch it.

Another surprise was that a piece used on the show was one I had heard not last week while listening to Concert FM. That alone was a rare occurence, which is becoming more frequent, but to hear the same piece used in an unrelated show a week later is just bizarre. It tickled my interest, and I'm going to see if I can track a recording of it down - John Psathas' View From Olympus.